Counties Begin Use of Tax Dollars for Mental Health Services
April 30, 2009
Thirteen of 39 counties in Washington have now adopted a local sales tax to fund mental health and chemical dependency services, indicating increased interest for local support of mental health programs state-wide. A report released this month by the Mental Health Transformation Project (MHTP) and the Washington Institute for Mental Health Research and Training (WIMHRT) outlines the progress of counties in using the tax.
Known as the "1/10th of one-percent sales tax," the measure (E2SSB-5763) passed into law in 2005 to support new initiatives that address mental health challenges, including homelessness, inpatient hospitalization, substance abuse services, and treatment options in lieu of jail and emergency rooms.
"Clearly counties adopting the law value preserving the social safety net and are promoting a vision of recovery and resiliency for local citizens in need of mental health support," says Ron Jemelka, MHTP Director. He believes more counties may adopt the tax as state and federal cuts continue to strain local budgets.
Thirteen counties -- Clallam, Clark, Island, Jefferson, King, Okanogan, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Wahkiakum, and Whatcom -- passed the tax prior to 2009, with advocates in six additional counties – Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Stevens, Grays Harbor, and Lewis – working to adopt the law. The remaining 20 counties are mostly located in Eastern Washington, where service populations are lower, tax revenues more limited and conservative values discourage tax increases.
According to the report author and WIMHRT research associate Anne Strode, MSW, LICSW, some of those counties are expressing new interest in the law, especially in light of recent legislative efforts. SB 5433, if signed into law, would allow counties to broaden the use of the tax revenue to support existing mental health programs up until 2015.
She’s encouraged that many of the counties are proactively using funds for diversion and to reach people with behavioral health needs early. "The counties reported that the tax gives them more flexibility to create services specific to the needs of local consumers, expanding upon restricted state or federal programs."
The first eight counties to pass the tax raised more than $45 million for mental health and substance abuse services in 2008. The five more recent counties to pass the tax expect annual revenues of approximately $18 million in 2009.
County ruling bodies – commissions and councils – adopted the tax in all but one of the 13 counties. Initially, Spokane County put it on the ballot, where voters approved it. Commissioners passed the measure a second time. Strong leadership, wide stakeholder support, good data on needs and cost benefits were key features for counties passing the tax. Also important were well-thought-out expenditure plans which gave county officials confidence of community support for initiating a new service tax.
The full report, fact sheet, county-specific details and county documents provide a comprehensive look at county progress.
Your Comments
- Privacy |
- Links Policy |
- Accessibility |
- Washington Mental Health Division |
- DSHS |
- Access Washington |
Page last modifiApril 30, 2009-->.
© MHTP
Are you having a technical difficulty with this site? Can't find something you are looking for? Please contact the MHTP
webmaster at MHTGWebmaster@dshs.wa.gov
Did you find this article of interest? Do you have a comment you'd like to make? If you'd like to comment on this article, click on the "Send A Comment" button above.